Golden Eagle Danube Express: Eastern European Discovery

Your journey begins as you fly to the elegant city of Budapest, divided by the mighty Danube. Upon arrival, you'll be met by a private transfer and escorted to your accommodation for the next two nights: the magnificent Four Seasons Gresham Palace, a shining example of art nouveau grandeur set on the banks of the river. As dusk settles over the Hungarian capital, you’ll gather for a welcome reception and dinner in the refined surrounds of your hotel. It’s an ideal opportunity to meet your fellow travellers, share your excitement for the journey ahead, and take in panoramic views across the Danube to the twinkling lights of the Buda Hills.

Today you’ll explore Budapest, a city defined by its contrasts. On one side, Buda rises majestically, crowned by the imposing Royal Palace; on the other, Pest bustles with café culture, grand boulevards and baroque elegance. Begin with a panoramic coach tour that delves into both sides of the city. Highlights include the UNESCO-listed Castle District, the whimsical turrets of Fishermen’s Bastion, and the richly adorned St. Matthias Church. A guided audio tour of Hungary’s Parliament building offers a glimpse inside one of Europe’s most iconic seats of power, while a private visit to the Budapest Opera House – complete with a drinks reception – reveals the splendour of its neo-Renaissance interiors.

Lunch is served in a traditional local restaurant, where you’ll sample classic Hungarian fare. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure – perhaps indulge in a dip at one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths, stroll the banks of the Danube, or simply relax in a riverside café.

Your morning in Budapest is free to enjoy at your own pace. Perhaps revisit a favourite spot, browse a local market, or enjoy coffee and cake at one of the city’s grand cafés. In the afternoon, the journey takes an exciting turn as you transfer to Budapest Nyugati station. Here, in the impressive Royal Waiting Room, a celebratory drinks reception awaits, accompanied by a private brass band performance – a fitting send-off for the unforgettable adventure ahead.

Step aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express, where uniformed staff greet you and escort you to your en-suite cabin. As the train rolls out of Budapest and begins its journey through the heart of Central Europe, enjoy your first dinner onboard – an elegant affair served in the atmospheric dining car.

Stay: Golden Eagle Danube Express

This morning, a poignant stop awaits. The train pulls into Oswiecim, gateway to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where those who wish may join a guided tour of this deeply moving site. Now a UNESCO World Heritage-listed museum, it serves as a powerful memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and a solemn reminder of history’s darkest chapters (Please confirm at the time of booking if you wish to join this visit.) Afterwards, continue by coach to the historic city of Kraków, once the royal capital of Poland and now a vibrant centre of culture and learning. After lunch in a local restaurant, the afternoon brings further discovery, with a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Descend 360 steps to a surreal underground world of vast chambers, intricate sculptures and the breathtaking Chapel of Salt, all carved from solid rock salt.

Alternatively, guests who prefer to stay above ground can join a guided walking tour of Kraków’s Old Town, taking in the medieval grandeur of Wawel Castle, the Jewish Quarter and the city’s rich cultural landmarks.

Stay: Golden Eagle Danube Express

Awake in Warsaw, a city that has reinvented itself with extraordinary resilience. Once almost entirely destroyed, the Polish capital has emerged as a dynamic fusion of historic charm and modern innovation. Your guided tour this morning begins in the Old Town, lovingly reconstructed with pastel-coloured townhouses and cobbled squares. Stroll along the Royal Route and through the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto, before visiting the award-winning POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Through powerful exhibits and interactive storytelling, it chronicles a millennium of Jewish life in Poland.

This afternoon, a musical highlight awaits – a private Chopin piano recital in the elegant Fryderyk Concert Hall for the group, an intimate venue steeped in classical tradition. Afterwards, return to the train to continue your journey north.

Stay: Golden Eagle Danube Express

This morning, arrive at Malbork, where the vast red-brick fortress of the Teutonic Knights rises over the River Nogat. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this imposing medieval castle was once the heart of a powerful monastic order. Wander its echoing halls and museum galleries, home to amber artefacts, ancient weapons, and exquisite medieval craftsmanship. After lunch onboard, continue north to Gdańsk, Poland’s storied Baltic port city. Steeped in history and famed for its role in 20th-century European politics, Gdańsk is where the Solidarity movement took root – a pivotal spark in the fall of communism.

Explore the acclaimed European Solidarity Centre, a powerful museum that chronicles the rise of civil resistance. Then, enjoy a captivating organ concert at Oliwa Cathedral, where the soaring notes of its baroque pipe organ fill the air. Finally, stroll the cobbled streets of Dlugi Targ (Long Market), lined with merchant houses and vibrant cafés, one of the most beautiful streets of old Gdansk.

Stay: Golden Eagle Danube Express

Cross into Germany this morning and arrive in its bold, ever-evolving capital. Berlin, once divided by ideology and the infamous Wall, now thrives as a cultural powerhouse where history and modernity exist side by side. Your sightseeing begins with the city's icons – the Brandenburg Gate, the remnants of the Berlin Wall, and the grand Reichstag, now restored as the home of the German Parliament. Then choose from a selection of experiences, perhaps taking the opportunity to drive a VEB Trabant – your very own authentic East German vehicle – through the middle and the former east part of the city along the Karl-Marx-Allee and East Side Gallery. For those who prefer to explore on foot, visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, delve into Cold War history, or head to Museum Island, a UNESCO-listed ensemble of world-class galleries.

After lunch, the afternoon is yours to enjoy the city at your leisure. Perhaps browse the boutiques of Kurfürstendamm, sip a craft beer in a leafy square, or unwind in a garden café.

Stay: Golden Eagle Danube Express

Wake up to views of Dresden from your cabin, the beautifully restored capital of Saxony. Levelled during World War II, the city has risen, its baroque architecture once again gleaming on the banks of the Elbe. Begin your tour at the majestic Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), a symbol of Dresden’s resilience, then continue to Dresden Castle, a treasure trove of Renaissance art and royal grandeur.

Take time for a morning refreshment at the elegant Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski, where chandeliers and white-gloved service transport you to a bygone era. Then return to the train for a scenic lunch as you cross into the Czech Republic. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Prague, one of Europe’s most enchanting capitals. With its fairy-tale spires, red rooftops and riverfront vistas, the city seems lifted from the pages of a storybook. Your guided tour includes the Old Town Square, the Charles Bridge and the medieval Jewish Quarter, where centuries of culture unfold in narrow, winding lanes. As evening falls, prepare for a truly special experience at the stunning Municipal House, where you'll take your seat for a spectacular opera performance, followed by a gourmet dinner in its gilded restaurant – a fitting finale to a magical day.

Stay: Golden Eagle Danube Express

Begin the day with a ride aboard a vintage tram, trundling through the heart of the city and up to Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle complex in the world. Perched high above the Vltava River, this striking ensemble of palaces and cathedrals has served as the seat of Czech kings and presidents for over a thousand years. Your visit includes the gothic masterpiece of St. Vitus Cathedral, where soaring stained-glass windows and towering spires evoke centuries of Bohemian grandeur. From here, enjoy sweeping views over the red-roofed city below.

After lunch, enjoy free time in Prague’s Old Town, where you might explore hidden courtyards, visit the iconic Astronomical Clock, or browse artisan boutiques tucked beneath pastel-coloured façades. As evening approaches, return to the train to continue your journey across Central Europe.

Stay: Golden Eagle Danube Express

Today brings you to the storybook city of Salzburg, framed by Alpine peaks and forever associated with its most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Your walking tour begins at the resplendent Mirabell Palace, with its manicured gardens and elegant baroque design, made famous by The Sound of Music. From there, visit Mozart’s Residence on Market Square before crossing the Makartsteg footbridge into the Old Town. Here, stroll the famed Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s most atmospheric street, where wrought-iron signs hang above boutiques and the scent of fresh pastries fills the air.

For more than 400 years Hellbrunn Palace has enchanted its visitors with its ‘trick’ fountains. The idyllic location in the south of Salzburg served as a summer retreat for the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. Its baroque exterior conceals an exuberant interior made for entertaining, though the real draws are the whimsical trick fountains in the gardens, which spew water from unexpected places.

Stay: Golden Eagle Danube Express

Enjoy a final breakfast onboard as the Golden Eagle Danube Express winds its way through the Austrian countryside, tracing a scenic route across the Semmering Pass – a masterpiece of 19th-century railway engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. By lunchtime, arrive in Vienna where you have a choice between time at leisure or a guided tour that includes a visit to the majestic Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, with its golden façades and formal gardens.

Later, gather for a private concert featuring the acclaimed Vienna Supreme Orchestra, performed in an intimate venue that celebrates the city’s rich musical heritage. It’s a fitting tribute to the home of Strauss and Mozart.

Tonight, check in to your hotel set within four 19th-century palaces in the heart of the city. Take time to unwind in the rooftop bar or spa before rejoining your group for a memorable farewell dinner, marking the end of an unforgettable journey.

Stay: The Ritz-Carlton Vienna or similar

After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flight. If you're not ready for your adventure to end, we can arrange a tailor-made extension in Vienna – from museum visits and culinary explorations to relaxing Danube cruises. Please speak to our specialists to personalise your post-tour plans.